Trends in Cannabis-Related Acute Psychosis Diagnoses in California-Based Emergency Departments

Abstract

Background. Research has suggested an upward trend in the number of cannabis-related adverse events in Colorado since legalization of recreational cannabis in 2014. This was supported by an increase in the number emergency department (ED) visits for acute cannabis intoxication, misuse, unintentional ingestion, dependence, and/or addiction. Because California legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, we aimed to examine the patterns of cannabis use, misuse, and dependence with psychiatric or anxiety disorder diagnoses in California from 2015 to 2018. Methods. General population data and self-reported data on cannabis users in California from 2015 through 2018 were collected from US- and California-based databases. ED visits resulting in cannabis-related acute psychosis diagnoses were identified using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. A simple linear regression was performed to assess for trends. Results. The number of self-reported cannabis users in California has increased each year since 2015, according to US-based data. Moreover, cannabis-related acute psychosis diagnoses have increased since 2015 in California specifically. Conclusions. This exploratory analysis highlights the increase in psychiatric diagnoses associated with cannabis use, especially during an era of legalizing recreational cannabis. Given the increase in cannabis-related ED visits associated with acute psychosis, it would be fiscally and socially beneficial to develop specific therapies to reduce the time spent in EDs and to decrease the number of hospitalizations due to improper use.